BlackWater Fluval Flex

[@SerpaDesign]

Looks really great! I'm envious of that handsome anubias. 😶

[@heatherhanson4029]

I was just going to suggest your Rooibos tea method for tannins! ;)

[@jlathem56]

I have always liked blackwater tanks and fish. Just haven't taken the plunge and done a real one yet. Played around with it a little but nothing serious yet. I never trusted my sources for leaves and things because I lived too close to farms or inner city highways where it's either pesticides or pollutions from auto emissions to worry about. Now I see there are online sources that can supply what is needed so I may rethink doing it again. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[@mykashorrorhysteria]

It looks amazing! I’m fascinated by black water aquariums and I want a flex so bad.

[@AngellusBlack]

Love it! Coincidentally I just rescaped my Fluval Spec V with leaf litter and some seed pods and stems from Tannin. Each day that goes by I feel I like blackwater tanks more and more over the perfectly manicured planted aquascapes. They just look and feel so much more natural than the latter.

[@maggiemagennis3507]

Love the natural look. Your videos are always great, thanks for doing them.

[@cichlidscape]

Looks great!👌🏻 love the relaxing planted aquariums you have

[@briansfishtanks]

Never tried a Blackwater set up, but they seem to be growing in popularity! Good work Sean!

[@PsychoticAquatics]

Thanks for letting me do your intro! Love the tank!!!

[@imthelastone]

love the lid on your flex, I think I may make that mod myself 👍

[@Ziggy1805]

I actually just set up my fluval flex 15 gallon an did my first aquascape I’ve had live plants before but really hadn’t had much luck with them... After watching your videos I’ve learned so much that I decided to give it a try thank you for your knowledge it’s become very enjoyable and helpful...!!!

[@zombiehuntertim]

Great project, it’s given me some ideas to try out in one of my tanks. Thanks for sharing

[@dennis-qu7bs]

I love your special guest intros!!

[@nancyware7282]

Same. I'm following a few more channels now because I saw them in one of Sean's intros. Good way to help spread the word and keep the hobby moving forward.

[@Zingo89]

Cool! Making a blackwater tank is in my future plans aswell, Im really excited to see how it looks when it starts geting more tea colour and less clear. Cant wait for a update!

[@pmotta4545]

Pretty cool video Shaun. Thanks for sharing 🤗🤩

[@adityadatar5431]

Great video! sweet setup!! Absolutely love your mad aquascaping skillz!

[@tabathaholtz8626]

The Flex looks AWESOME! I love the leopard val, the tank looks very natural. Shrimp would love that aquarium too. I'm glad you enjoyed building it. BTW, your hair looks great. :)

[@loolieloft14]

Everyone loves a flex! Great redo.

[@vicaroo001]

I am super surprised at how much I love the look of that tank!

[@pecktec]

I was too.

[@viniciusfurtado1768]

Great job, Sean. Thanks for sharing. Hope to see an update on the Fluval Spec 16 soon. Merry Christmas!

[@seyoungkim4694]

I will say it again that print on the shirt is fab!

[@vampgaia]

The tank looks great! I like the Val. That anubias is epic!! Happy holidays!

[@22jdeee]

Pecktec got that money boy!!!!! Kessil lights everywhere. Lmaooo merry Christmas buddy.

[@CaylorsReptilesAquatics]

Love black water. I use leaves from the woods on my property. Oak seems to work best. I keep a couple leafs in almost every tank, black water or not.

[@mbtacke]

Would you consider painting the edges of you glass lid black? Seems like it would blend in better with the tank.

[@keepitnatural4116]

When boiling the leaves and botanicals I’ll keep the black water that comes from them in ice cube trays then use it after water changes etc no need to lose the goodness and keep the tannins in the water

[@plcc07777]

What a neat idea...Thanks for sharing.

[@pecktec]

Cool idea. Blackwater bombs

[@sabrinabritcher4218]

@@pecktec lol

[@windowpane]

Awesome idea. Didn't even think of that even though I keep herbs and portion soups in the freezer.

[@swimforward1700]

This tank is beautiful. Love the litter♥️

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

The tank looks great! 👍

[@OtterCreekAquatics]

Awesome tank man. I love those flex tanks

[@RiverLifeUS]

Great looking project! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@GrammaTilla]

I really enjoy all your videos and found this one particularly interesting as I've been adding our local WV & PA Pin Oak leaves to my small aquarium for over a year. I've been picking them after February here in our Northern WV panhandle winters that can get down into the teens, they are freeze-dried and rid of pest and bacteria. They float for about 2-3 days and sink. Prefer the natural tannin look, and it benefits the delicate fins our my betta. I mistakenly picked some nice pin oak leaves in the summer and when adding them to the tank, immediately noticed small insects and endured a case of Ick. Never thought of boiling them. Appreciate your link to the "Interesting blackwater video identifying leaves video. "

[@JB-sy2nd]

20:15 love how the Tardis moves between shots in the tank in the background :)

[@MrJuniormikey]

😍 beautiful

[@ChattanoogaEd]

Oh Great now I have to try that, Yours came out looking super. Merry Christmas Peck you rock

[@foxytr1ck156]

Looks amazing, love your videos

[@richardfuentes4204]

I'm currently cycling a 20 high and I had some big pieces of driftwood that I glued onto a tile, I added some of the red clay underneath the substrate because I added some Ludwigia repens and they have a nice red color. I also used some jungle val on one side and capped it with pool filter sand. I love the tank you setup! I think I might have to add more leaf litter to the bottom,it looks more natural. I will be adding my celestial pearl danios that are currently living in a 10 gallon. Nice mods as well.

[@johnglenham4099]

Another interesting video .merry xmas and a great new year.

[@kdr1048]

Turned out awesome! Dont get any better than a natural blackwater tank! Is that Sunset gold colored sand? Looks great. Nice job! Give it time, the tannins will get stronger as time goes on. I also use a blackwater additive that works very well. It's made by Brightwell aquatics. Works well.

[@CrazyAquariumGuy]

A pair of Pelvicachromispulcher Would look amazing in there. Dwarf cichlids.

[@CrazyAquariumGuy]

If you still want to breed Rams. They will for sure in this tank. Great video bro. 🎅👊

[@ciaravanderwoning9950]

Looks great! Now I need to do one...

[@shesellsfish]

Tank's lookin' good, Sean. Happy holidays to you and your family.

[@catfishcave379]

In the hands of a master (you) it looks fabulous. In the hands of a noob (me) it looks like human litter found around piers. Farlowella - perfect choice. Maybe a group of the not so common other Kuhli type loach.

[@DanielHanson343]

That tank looks fantastic , I am thinking about getting that same tank for a betta ? and maybe a few small schooling fish .

[@pecktec]

It’s nice. They have a nine gallon and soon a 32 gallon also.

[@EyeoftheWhiteWolf]

Awesome! It looks amazing! I actually like the leopard val a lot. I can't wait 'til I can do a blackwater tank but I think it will be a few years in the making because I'm going to school and moving around a lot, & moving tanks is stressful lol.

[@DarcyParker22]

Have you thought about cutting some holes in the glass cover/lid? Perhaps a Dremel Circle cutter jig with dremel and glass bit would let you make a big hole at top for the light to shine through. And maybe make a couple of smaller 2 inch holes with a glass hole saw for cords into the back area for filters? You could also polish the cut edges with the dremel and circle jig too.

[@FullMoonAquatics]

Very nice. I’m headed to the dark side as well. I don’t know why some people don’t like it. But, the natural beauty is calling to me.

[@mgk2020]

What happened that freed this tank up for conversion? I was following the Fluval Flex video series, but never saw a final update or anything about how the plants grew (or didn't) and why it became this BW tank.

[@pecktec]

mgk2020 the last video for that one was called “when to give up”. It did ok but the plants never really took off. I have seen some beautiful ones with the stock lights. But I wanted a bit more. And I got sick of the lid in general.

[@mgk2020]

@@pecktec Thank you for the update!

[@kmybitptys]

I think a trio of Betta Macrostoma in there would be EPIC

[@Loogiemistress]

Hahaha doing the George Farmer! So good :)

[@anthonyragan2696]

I'm not a fan of "tea-stained' water, but I really like the looks of the botanicals as tank decor. I bet it makes for a neat playground for cories and other botom-dwellers.

[@seant10115]

Tank looks great. I have the same tank as u the 57l flex I was thinking of putting another filter sponge in the left compartment shall I buy the same sponge as the middle one or can you recommend me a different one. Thank you

[@baribearsd]

Does the post in your lamp clamp rotate? If so, turn it around so those screws are in the outside. Rescue the Gregorian chant CD!

[@Evil_Genius_888]

Love the tank. I think I might get some of that leopard val for my 29 gallon. When I did my 10 gallon black water, I boiled up too many items and had to pull a bunch of stuff out to use later. lol

[@W4RD1N8ER]

Almond leaves do help with fungal issues its one of the main ingredients in some API products to help combat these issues. I also use them for my shrimp tank.

[@plcc07777]

Blackwater is trendy and I love it. MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

[@RussellChilds]

Looks great! Good mod. 😀

[@mattds8035]

That would be a great tank setup for a pair of wild Bettas

[@delaineld7766]

Love the leopard val

[@MrRoverpilot]

I have a simple question for you you go through all the trouble of boiling all of those materials to make and I quote black water Have you ever used the black water extract? It’s inexpensive and certainly saves a lot of trouble

[@pecktec]

Well it wasn’t much trouble and I enjoy seeing all the new odd things in the bottom. I have used the blackwater extract before. They work pretty well I think too.

[@orionmacy]

What LED light would you suggest for growing a dwarf hair grass carpet in this tank? I have a light (AQUA WORX ORION 12" LED LIGHT), but it doesn't seem strong enough to reach the bottom and I'm worried about the spectrum not being enough.

[@munafruit]

looking good

[@LikeTheRain100]

Great video, Pecktec. This new tank looks great. Question, can I use a timer for the stock light on the flex? Will the light come on automatically when the outlet timer turns on?

[@eskimojulie]

I like this one , good job .:-)

[@jordanleroy19]

The whole way through the video I was thinking checkerboard cichlids, they can be quite sensitive and a seasoned tank will help

[@TobyCreates]

That’s some thicc substrate

[@joefav76]

Very nice😊

[@chriswhitey1978]

If you’re ever in Baltimore check out the natl aquarium. Nice tannin tanks w cardinal tetras n angelfish Absolutely amazing . Water is the color of tea- you will never see more colorful neons n cardinals. Super bright

[@Kdot_osrs]

I’m watching all of your videos in 2024. Im buying a flex 15 for a community of fish. You’ve showed me so much info on these flex tanks. All of your content has helped so much. Thanks so much. Are you still having good luck with these tanks? Any leaks or problems? Thanks so much❤

[@pecktec]

You're very welcome. The Flex 15 I sold at a fish club get together and it is still going! One of the first ever produced. My mega flex is also going strong right here next to me.

[@pecktec]

My biggest tip is plastic scrapers only!

[@Kdot_osrs]

@@pecktec I seen in a video you stay in Tennessee. You’re very close to me. I’m in West Memphis Arkansas by the Bass pro pyramid. Anyway we can keep in touch? My Name is Joshua by the way

[@Aquatic_Amigo]

Great job...is it the 15 gallon flex?

[@pecktec]

Sure is.

[@kathleenwhite9741]

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Hope you have a wonderful holiday season! 🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎁🎉🎉🎉🎅🦌

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Merry Christmas Sean :-)

[@orcachick2005]

Wow, this tank is beautiful. I've always had a hard time with carpeting plants (not gonna go down the CO2 road and there aren't many low maintenance carpeters that actually stay low). I might give this a try instead.

[@MarcelloBranca]

beautiful

[@MASSAquariums]

Blackwater fo sho

[@langdondresser5900]

Is the flex your Christmas tank

[@fishtales2597]

Be careful the sand can create pockets of gas... i found that so i didnt use sand in my blackwater tank, also mine hasnt any plants just tannin water and wood. My apistogrammas love it. Hope your goes well. Merry xmas

[@IFIXCASTLES]

Cool!

[@Ishiisan]

you can add organic black or red tea to your tank to get that color back in your water

[@pecktec]

Yumm!

[@DP52001]

Everything ok with you? Your body language at :29 looks sad... Great video and thank you for the outstanding content!!!

[@davewithaddednutrients3024]

I live in Charleston SC. My PH, GH, KH is so low it is basically blackwater with chlorine out if the tap.

[@3056398]

What do you think you'll do with Cthulhu miniature?

[@weloveyou1234]

Is this tank still running? Im. Buying a flex next week would love an update!

[@Poteluz]

Not sure I understand why you're not using the top that comes with the Fluval Flex, it's perfect and has 7000k light. Tank looks nice though.

[@pecktec]

It was ok but I really like looking through the top. And this old Kessil was lots better as a light.

[@springersabygaelle5101]

Beautiful tank, the reference of your light please

[@S0K0N0MI]

How would this tank do with Kuhli loaches? Is it too small?

[@MrHibu]

Do you think it's possible to completely remove the back plastic cover so we can have the extra 2-3 gallon of space?

[@pecktec]

Sure people have done it.

[@MrRoverpilot]

Hello Sean merry Christmas to you sir

[@TH3-ON3]

9:06 kiddddds dinner is ready, we are having some delicious soup tonight

[@CoreyDeMerchant]

Can you please tell me where you picked up them clips, I may need them for my aquarium

[@pecktec]

I have tried and tried but I can’t find them now. These were from eBay I think. But I got them a long time ago and just started using them.

[@CoreyDeMerchant]

@@pecktec thank for the reply, I have found them on amazon

[@karunald]

How did the back get all damaged?

[@karunald]

What is the tank at the 26:05 mark? Thank you

[@elisedurand3896]

if the fuval 32.5 is 220V and my house ONLY holds a 120V how is this going to work? HELP please if you can! what tank could I order that will work thanks!

[@karenmcisaac22]

Love the tank and your hair is looking good too Merry Christmas 🎄

[@loavesfishes6268]

The flu also flex is so beautiful, but they’re sooo expensive! I LOVE YOUR VERSION OF BLACK WATER!

[@PartnerProAlliance]

Have you had any issues with the sand in the flex?

[@pecktec]

Doing great so far.

[@cutefish7317]

🎄 🌟 ❄️ 🎁 🎅 🦌 Merry Christmas 🎄 🌟 ❄️ 🎁 🎅 🦌

[@davidperrin1675]

I would not change a thing it looks great

[@chriswhitey1978]

Nice tank Not really Blackwater tho bro Add some BW extract it works great Just mind that the darker the water, the less light reaches the plants...which is why most true BW setups don’t use live plants/ the water is TOO dark - only low light plants really work Also seems like you boiled all the tannin out of the material lol

[@KGcichlids]

I like what you did with the fluvial flex looks nice, I was expecting more tannins but nonetheless its nice!

[@IFIXCASTLES]

Hey where did you go?

[@pecktec]

Took this week off.